Sustainable Chinatown Reaches Over 60 Businesses
The Sustainable Chinatown project is a partnership between the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the Asian American Civic Association, and Chinatown businesses. It is funded by The Barr Foundation. To date, over 60 small businesses in Chinatown have taken advantage of the City of Boston’s federally subsidized energy efficiency program, Renew Boston. The program will shift to sustainable waste management and explore renewable energy options for businesses next. Despite the image at right, Jackie Chan is not assisting with the installation of T5 lamps.
Chinatown is a vibrant community located close to Boston’s downtown area and at the foot of the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Packed with restaurants and retailers, the neighborhood continues to evolve with new developments and changing populations. The BRA initiated the Sustainable Chinatown project to help Chinatown businesses address the issues of rising energy, water, and solid waste management costs by providing business owners with practical and affordable sustainable business and energy solutions, while building long term sustainable business expertise awareness and capacity in the community.
The project has gained momentum in a neighborhood where many thought energy efficiency would be a tough sell due to language and cultural barriers. Chinatown’s business leaders have proven otherwise.
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